Japan retain Moriyasu as manager for Asian Cup push, says JFA president

Japan retain Moriyasu as manager for Asian Cup push

Japan national team manager Hajime Moriyasu will continue in his role until the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January. Japan Football Association (JFA) president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto explained that this decision was made to maximize their chances of winning the tournament.

Why retain Moriyasu?

Miyamoto praised Moriyasu's record, particularly his team's unbeaten run in Asian qualifiers. The 2022 World Cup victories over Germany and Spain were key factors in this decision.

Importance of Asian Cup victory

Miyamoto stressed that winning the Asian Cup is crucial for improving Japan's FIFA ranking. Currently ranked 17th, Japan needs to defeat Asian powerhouses to climb higher.

What's next for Japan

Moriyasu is planning for the 2026 World Cup while Go Oiwa will manage both the U-21 team and the senior national team. Japan's recent form shows 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last 5 matches (LDWDW). Their most recent result was a 2-1 defeat to Brazil on June 29.